At least 60 People Killed Including 12 US Marines In Afghanistan Explosions

UPDATE: At least 12 U.S. service members killed in Kabul attacks, including 11 Marines and 1 Navy medic – AP, citing 2 U.S. officials. Details soon.

Two suicide bombers have blown themselves up near one of the gates at Kabul International Airport, killing at least 60 people and injuring more than 150 others, officials say. Twelve American service members are among those killed.

The attack began at about 5:11 p.m. local time on Thursday while thousands of people, including many Afghan families with children, were trying to access the airport in the hopes of getting onto flights to leave Afghanistan, where the Taliban has taken control.

It began when a suicide car bomber blew himself up at a sewage canal in the vicinity of Abbey Gate, which has been used by British and American forces. Gunfire was heard and a second bombing was later reported in the same area, but closer to the Baron Hotel.

A third explosion was heard at around 10:30 p.m.

The exact number of casualties remains unclear, but the Wall Street Journal reported that at least 60 people were killed and more than 150 injured. Video from one of the scenes showed injured people and what appeared to be a pile of bodies.

Two U.S. officials told AP that at least 12 U.S. service members were among those killed, making them the first American combat casualties in Afghanistan since February 2020. Those killed include 11 U.S. Marines and 1 Navy medic. Dozens more are believed to be injured.

“We can confirm that a number of U.S. service members were killed in today’s complex attack at Kabul airport,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said. “A number of others are being treated for wounds. We also know that a number of Afghans fell victim to this heinous attack.”

Kirby added: “Our thoughts and prayers go out to the loved ones and teammates of all thsoe killed and injured.”

There was no immediate claim of responsibility for Thursday’s deadly attack, but a U.S. official told the Associated Press that it was “definitely believed” to have been carried out by the Islamic State group (ISIS).

“The Islamic Emirate strongly condemns the bombing of civilians at Kabul Airport, which took place in an area where security is in the hands of U.S. forces,” Taliban spokesman Zabihullah Mujahid said in a statement.

Thursday’s attack came less than a day after the U.S. Embassy in Kabul warned of security threats outside the gates of Kabul’s international airport. Specifically, it said Americans at Abbey Gate, East Gate, and North Gate “should leave immediately.”

Source: Agencies.